Example Concept: In traditional network architectures, each network device (such as a router or switch) has its own control plane that makes forwarding decisions based on locally stored routing tables and configurations. This often leads to complex management and slower adaptation to changes. In contrast, SDN centralizes the control plane in a software-based controller, which communicates with network devices via protocols like OpenFlow. This allows for dynamic, automated network management, easier policy implementation, and improved network agility.